INEC chair Amupitan tells Emir of Zazzau: elections must never be do-or-die affairs

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has appealed to the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, to counsel political parties, candidates and supporters on the need for non-violent, issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections, Daily Post reports.

Amupitan made the appeal on Sunday during a courtesy visit to the Emir’s palace in Zaria, part of the Commission’s nationwide Zonal Readiness Assessment.

“Elections must never be treated as do-or-die affairs, but as a peaceful celebration of civic choice,” he said, urging the monarch to counsel youths against being used as tools of political violence.

He further called on the Emir to encourage residents to participate fully in the electoral process, from PVC collection to peaceful voting, while disclosing that the Presidential and National Assembly elections have been fixed for January 16, 2027, with governorship polls following on February 6.

The INEC chief assured the Emirate that the Commission “remains unreservedly committed to absolute neutrality, fairness, and transparency,” insisting it has “no candidate, no political party, and no interest other than the sovereign will of the Nigerian people.”

In response, the Emir commended the visit as “remarkable and important,” urging INEC to ensure timely distribution of election materials, adequate testing of voting technology, and prompt release of results to boost public confidence.

He also appealed to political parties to avoid hate speech during campaigns — a call that underscores the shared stakes both leaders see in delivering a peaceful and credible 2027 vote.